HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara today released the All Hazards Preparedness Improvement Action Plan and Report that was prepared as directed by Executive Order 18-01. The Action Plan was designed to review current emergency response systems, including notifications and warnings, and make recommendations for improvement.

“We are moving forward with a strategic vision that enables emergency managers in Hawaiʻi to identify gaps and vulnerabilities for handling all hazards. I’ll be asking the Legislature for more than $2 million right now to build capacity. It’s all about the safety and security of the people of Hawaiʻi,” said Gov. Ige.

“The report is written by and prepared as a roadmap for emergency management planners. It could be used as a guide to help reshape how emergency management is organized and how resources are prioritized and allocated to respond to any hazard efficiently and effectively,” said Big. Gen. Hara.

The report:

Focuses on preparations for any disaster, not only ballistic missile threats

Identifies the need to prepare a Strategic Plan for Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and update the All Hazards Catastrophic Plan to include a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Annex

Recommends including all emergency management stakeholders in the planning process to address gaps and vulnerabilities that exist today

Confirms and agrees with Gen. Oliveira’s findings from the investigative report

Other key details include:

A complete comprehensive annex or plan to address the Ballistic Missile Preparedness threats had not been fully developed prior to commencement of missile alert siren testing and internal missile alert drills, nor had a risk assessment been conducted.

There is a misconception that Gov. Ige and other elected officials are primarily responsible for timely warning and notification. The responsibility to identify requirements for the existing alert system and rapid notification remained with HI-EMA.

The State Warning Point’s established Ballistic Missile Alert Checklist did not have a step to notify the HI-EMA Public Information Officer (PIO). The missing key step to notify the PIO contributed to the delay in rapidly informing the media and public.

Observations point to the improper management of HI-EMA. HI-EMA senior leadership lacked awareness of personnel issues within the SWP.

Key observations and recommendations include:

Conduct comprehensive review and assessment of organizational roles and performance

Make needed improvements in technological capabilities

Enforce current statutes and executive orders dealing with emergency management

Develop and deliver training and education programs for the public, government leaders, and EM employees

Based on this roadmap, Gov. Ige is:

Enhancing our strategic capabilities to respond and recover from any hazard

Building and putting capacity into place; this includes asking the Legislature for funding

Placing renewed emphasis on individual, family and community preparedness

The report also recaps previous, worst-case threat analyses that would impact Hawaiʻi’s response and recovery efforts to a catastrophic event.